The world’s largest crocodile in captivity has died at a wildlife sanctuary in Australia.
Cassius was almost 5.5m (18ft) lengthy, weighed almost one tonne and was considered not less than 110 years previous – though nobody knew for certain.
The large saltwater crocodile lived within the sanctuary on an island off the coast of Queensland since being caught in Australia’s Northern Territory within the Nineteen Eighties.
In 2011, he was awarded the Guinness World File for the most important crocodile in captivity.
Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat mentioned in a publish on social media that Cassius was “our beloved mate” and “a cherished member of our household”.
Cassius had beforehand lived within the wild, the place he was identified for catching and consuming cattle, and attacking boat propellers earlier than being captured.
The habitat’s founder, George Craig, purchased Cassius in 1987, the Australian Broadcasting Company reported.
Cassius “introduced pleasure and companionship to his greatest mate George for over 37 years”, the habitat mentioned.
The habitat added that Mr Craig relocated to Cairns final month and Cassius’s well being declined quickly after.
“He was very previous and believed to be dwelling past the years of a wild croc,” the publish mentioned.
The habitat additionally thanked “everybody who visited Cassius all through his life and supplied kindness”, including that the location could also be working “in a restricted capability over the subsequent few days”.